Added by Geoff Sauer on Apr 21, 2010. Average rating: 4.50/5.00 (n=2, std dev: 0.71)
In a classic 1977 experiment, researchers asked experts to evaluate a technical manuscript. Except for the results section, all versions of the paper were identical. Reviewers not only gave the paper higher marks when it confirmed their previous views on a technical issue in their field, they were more apt to detect an inadvertent typo in the manuscript when the results contradicted their pre-existing beliefs. Studies have confirmed it again and again: We easily accept results we like and nitpick the evidence that we don’t.
In a classic 1977 experiment, researchers asked experts to evaluate a technical manuscript. Except for the results section, all versions of the paper were identical. Reviewers not only gave the paper higher marks when it confirmed their previous views on a technical issue in their field, they were more apt to detect an inadvertent typo in the manuscript when the results contradicted their pre-existing beliefs. Studies have confirmed it again and again: We easily accept results we like and nitpick the evidence that we don’t.
